Design & Construction

The Soquel Demonstration State Forest (SDSF) flow trail project is a vast undertaking and will require a large, dedicated work force to complete. This trail is the first in SDSF built entirely with modern, sustainable trail construction techniques rather than a patchwork of re-purposed logging cuts interspersed with short segments of true hand-built singletrack. Led by trail construction manager Drew Perkins and over 40 volunteer crew leaders trained by MBoSC, volunteer workforces have been diligently constructing the trail. Learn more about our Volunteer Trail Work Day events.

The trail’s design will allow for a wide range of skill levels, providing more opportunities for riders of all abilities to enjoy mountain biking at SDSF. The rollers, tabletops and built features will be designed in a progressive manner, rollable by novices (or with ride-around options) but taking on a different characteristic when ridden with speed and style by intermediate to advanced riders.

The project boasts an impressive four miles of trail with an average 6-7 percent grade, 38 switchbacks and a net elevation loss of 1280’. The trail will be three feet wide on straight-aways, and somewhat wider on banked turns. It will intersect the Tractor Trail access road in five places, offering ample opportunity to session sections.

The flow trail will conform with IMBA’s Flow Country Trail designation. With MBoSC’s high standards of trail design and construction in mind, it will be integrated into the landscape as much as possible, using natural features to guide the design and anchor the trail. Areas disturbed by construction will be re-naturalized and the trail will be narrowed down after construction. The trail will feel integrated into—not imposed on—the terrain.